In the West Bank village of al-Mughayyir, Palestinian parents are growing increasingly concerned about the safety of their children at school due to a rise in violence linked to Jewish settlers. The village, located in the occupied West Bank, has seen a series of deadly incidents this year, including the shooting death of 14-year-old Aws al-Naasan outside the school in April. The school’s head-teacher, Bassam al-Assaf, described the situation as extremely alarming, noting that six people, including three students, have been killed this year. During the incident involving Aws, bullets struck the school building as students hid for safety, according to teacher Waheed Abu Naem. Israeli military officials said that a reservist soldier had fired after being attacked by individuals throwing stones at his vehicle, and the soldier was later suspended and investigated. Over the summer, two more students were killed in separate incidents involving settlers and Israeli forces. In both cases, the military stated that its forces responded to "violent riots." With three desks now empty in the school, some parents are hesitant to send their children back for the new academic year. The school is situated at the edge of the village, which is increasingly surrounded by Jewish settler outposts. Israeli forces often set up checkpoints at the village entrance, making movement difficult. In response to the rising threat, al-Assaf has installed a barbed-wire fence around the school and reinforced the gates. Ambulance crews now wait outside the school, and some parents have volunteered to stay nearby as an added measure of protection. Hadi al-Naasan, an ambulance driver in the village, observed a shift in the behavior of Israeli forces over the past year, suggesting that settlers are now more protected by occupation soldiers. He believes this has contributed to the increase in Palestinian deaths and injuries in al-Mughayyir. A UN Commission of Inquiry published in June found that settler attacks have been used to coerce Palestinians into leaving their land, including by targeting children. Israel dismissed the report as false and misleading. Sami Abu Rahma, a local sheep farmer, shared the story of his nine-year-old son Salim, who was shot in the arm while playing on his family’s farm near al-Mughayyir. Security footage captured Salim pointing out approaching settlers before running for safety with his family. Sami believes the shooter lives in an illegal settler outpost that appeared near the farm in June. He claims that the settlers are trying to make the family feel that there is no future for them in the area. The regional settlers council said an off-duty soldier was arrested in connection with the shooting and expressed regret for any harm caused, but denied that settlers are part of a plan to harm children or displace residents. Al-Mughayyir is not an isolated case. Across the occupied West Bank, more illegal settler outposts are encircling Palestinian villages, and settlers are receiving greater protection from Israeli forces. According to UN data, the number of Palestinians injured in settler-related attacks has risen sharply this year, averaging three injuries per day. This trend coincides with the expansion of Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank. All Israeli settlements in the region are considered illegal under international law, and Israel’s pro-settlement government faces increasing international pressure, including from the UK, which is expected to impose sanctions soon. Despite some arrests of violent settlers and reports of plans to dismantle illegal outposts, attacks continue, and many Palestinians remain fearful for their future. With Israeli elections approaching, the government is moving forward with plans to take control of land registration in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, a move seen by some as a step toward annexation.